Kuwait- Antibodies found to 'MERS' virus - Toll hits 105

(MENAFN - Arab Times) London april 29 (agencies): scientists have found natural human antibodies to the newly-emerging middle east respiratory syndrome (mers) virus and say their discovery marks a step towards developing treatments for the often fatal disease.

mers a sars-like viral disease first detected in 2012 that has caused outbreaks in the middle east and sporadic cases around the world has raised international alarm in recent weeks with a surge in infections and deaths in saudi arabia. saudi officials confirmed 26 more mers cases and 10 deaths at the weekend bringing the toll in the kingdom alone to 339 confirmed cases of which 102 have been fatal.

meanwhile saudi health authorities announced tuesday three new deaths from the mers coronavirus as a group of experts met to discuss means of preventing the spread of the disease. three men ? aged 56 61 and 79 ? died of middle east respiratory syndrome in riyadh bringing to 105 the total deaths since the disease appeared in the kingdom in september 2012 the health ministry said